White Hat Seo Consulting...

I have a person wanting to pay me to help with a few of their sites, the only problem is I've never charged anyone for this type of thing. I have a lot of experience, but mostly just helped out friends.

Has anyone ever charged before? If so what was your rate? Monthly? Weekly? Hourly? If you don't mind please tell me what you charged. Per month/week/hour/job etc..

I have found it best to charge per project. Estimate how much time it will take you and charge for the whole project according to what your hourly rate would be. You can charge by the hour, but your client will very rarely understand why it's taking so many hours and the justification becomes more hassle than it's worth. This has been my experience with this. It also helps for you to come up with some SEO "packages" that you charge for on a monthly basis. Anywhere from $500 a month on the low end for smaller clients to $2000 or more per month for the bigger clients. Hope this helps.

First of all, estimate your cost per hour (raw, let's say about $60 per hour). Then estimate a nomber of hours to get the job done, including testing. Finally, multiply your price per the estimated number of hours and you have the price

Ok, so how do you guys get legitimate projects. I've tried a few places but it seems like people want top rankings for nothing. I've managed to get a few projects here and there but nothing to write home about. Are there places where I don't have to compete with everyone around the world and I can find clients that are willing to pay for good work? Any good suggestions would be much appreciated.

Ok, so how do you guys get legitimate projects. I've tried a few places but it seems like people want top rankings for nothing. I've managed to get a few projects here and there but nothing to write home about. Are there places where I don't have to compete with everyone around the world and I can find clients that are willing to pay for good work? Any good suggestions would be much appreciated.

Look for local companies and see if they have a website, if they do offer SEO. If not offer to build one (outsource) then offer SEO ontop, if they paid for the site they will normally go for the extras too.

I first offered a Website Analysis ($500 & up depending upon the size of the website). This is PAID UPFRONT - No exceptions.

1. It lets me know they are serious
2. It tells me they can pay
3. It stops tire kickers dead in their tracks

After my analysis, I now know...

1. Whether I can do what they seek
2. Whether I WANT to do what they seek
3. And about how long it will take me to accomplish it
(hence recurring monthly fees, or even bonuses for any major kw phrase I get to number one in Gaggle, or top 3, and for as long as I keep it there)
4. There are few surprises now, I have seen what I have to work with.

Now I prepare my proposal. I have made my money for my analysis, so at this point when they get my proposal, they are free to do all my recommendations on there own (if they can), but I was paid for all my research and preparation.

One more tip; Due to the amount of time and work I take on their analysis and the amount of niche knowledge and competition online that I have gained, - It is easy to approach another firm with similar products or services and offer them the proposal that your first guy turned down... you will be surprised at how this works! And, how educated you sound about the niche or product.

It is extremely lucrative even today, if you are one of the best, name your price for some firms.

1. Get THEIR expectations on your first meeting (discussion), this way, if you need to reset them (realistically), you will be prepared to do so at your proposal meeting. This is also where you will set 'benchmarks' or review periods for what will be accomplished and when, plus tracking and reporting (so you continue to get paid).

2. Know who you report to, and also who is responsible for your changes and additions if you are not given full login and password privledges to the website. I have seen entire projects screech to a halt when timing and responsibilities were not layed out and cracks in the floor had even the best plans delayed and people or accounts actually terminated.

Just wanted to save you potential headaches - and these can be big ones...

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